Citizen Radiation Monitoring

What’s Blowing in the Wind? 

Leina'ala Sleightholm photo

      Currently, RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) deadly war games by 26 countries are taking place in and around Hawaii that include bombing at the 133,000-acre military Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) located in the center of Hawaii Island. Pohakuloa is known to be contaminated with Depleted Uranium (DU) radiation from weapons training there.

    However, no comprehensive independent survey of Pohakuloa has been done to determine the full extent of DU contamination. DU burned by high explosives forms DU oxide particles that can be carried long distances by the wind. When inhaled DU oxide radiation alpha particles can cause cancer, birth defects, and genetic damage for future generations.

     Citizen radiation monitoring over the years have picked up significant spikes around the island well above background radiation. In fact, in 2007 citizen monitors detected high radiation readings at Mauna Kea Park adjacent to Pohakuloa before the military officially confirmed military radiation weapons had been fired at Pohakuloa. For years the military denied even having used DU weapons here in Hawaii.

     The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH), The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Nuclear regulatory Agency (NRC) have not stepped up to do proper surveying and monitoring to protect the health and safety of troops who train at Pohakuloa, and residents and visitors of Hawaii. Even during a recent major brush fire in the Pohakuloa bombing impact area, no one was doing any monitoring to see what was coming off the base in the smoke. This is unacceptable. We want responsible government action and answers to questions about military radiation contamination on Hawaii Island. We want action and answers NOW!  What is blowing in the wind?

Stop Bombing Hawaii!

  1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties.
    4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, anti-Hawaiian, etc.
    5. Seek peace through peaceful means and work for justice in Hawai`i and around the world.

Contact: Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box 489 Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760 Phone (808) 966-7622. Email: ja@malu-aina.org

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